Electrical connector



July 12, 1966 G. c. EVANS I 3,260,984

ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR Filed June 29, 1964 2 SheetsSheet 1 INVENTOR. 6 50x 05 C. EVA/V5 July 12, 1966 e. c. EVANS 3,260,984 ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR Filed June 29, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 9 44 ii: 2 A! mm BY /2 i A TTOP/VE).

3,260,984 ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR George C. Evans, Azusa, Calif., assignor to Clary Corporation, San Gabriel, Calif., a corporation of California Filed June 29, 1964, Ser. No. 378,686 10 Claims. (Cl. 339-75) This invention relates to a coupling device and more particularly to a coupling device adapted to interconnect electrical terminals or the like.

It is an object of the invention to provide a coupling device adapted to connect electrical terminals wherein the coupling device designed and constructed so that matable or interengageable terminals may be locked together in a positive manner, but nonetheless in a manner capable of relatively quick manual release.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a quick-release type of electrical connector in which the electrically matable pants when interenga'ged form a continuous electrical connection over a substantial area with a positive pressure exerted thereby inflicting a positive connection between the interengageabel terminals.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a coupling device having a design which may be varied readily both in size and specific shape for adaptation to various purposes.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a coupling device wherein m-atable or interengageable parts may be coupled together or disengaged by a relatively simple straight-line friction-tree movement of one part relative to the other.

One further object of the present invention is to provide an electrical coupling device adapted to withstand severe mechanical strains and stresses but nonetheless capable of relatively quick manual release.

In the present invention there is provided an electrical connector comprising at least one relatively flexible receptacle adapted to receive a plurality of terminals. This flexible receptacle is formed with an elongated axial recess extending inwardly from a flared end. Radial slots are arranged in the flared end to permit radial contraction of the recess upon longitudinal movement of a locking member over the receptacle. Interlocking detent means on the connector and terminals enables the connector to be either yieldably snapped in place or rigidly locked in place while maintaining adequate electrical connections under either condition.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood when considered in conjuction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view, partly in section, of a prefer-red form of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the electrical connector taken substantially along the line 2--2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the connector in its alternative locked position.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional perspective view of the invention, part of which has been omitted for illustrative purposes.

With reference to the drawings, the invention comprises, in general, a pair of body members 10 and 11. A knurled screw 9 is rotatably mounted in the body or locking member 10 and is threaded into the body member 11. A pair of terminal receiving receptacles 12 and 13 of plastic or similar flexible insulating material passes through both body members and are threaded into end caps 14 and 15. A plug member 16 of insulating material and four equispaced flexible terminal leaves 17 are located within each of the terminal-receiving receptacles.

United States Patent 3,260,984 Patented July 12, 1966 "Ice The body members 10 and 11, as illustrated, are in parallel relationship to one another and are moved toward and away from each other by the screw 9. The screw is prevented from axial movement relative to the member 10 by a snap ring 15 which fits into a groove 171 formed in the screw.

The terminal-receiving receptacles 12 and 13 are in the Iform of sleeves and are locked rigidly against the member 10 by the end caps 14 and 15. As the end caps are screwed tightly down onto the outer face 28 of the body member 10, the threads 68 will forcibly pull the terminal receiving receptacles upwardly (FIGS. 1 and 3). This action will bring shoulders 46 extending around each terminal receptacle into positive contact with the lower face 29 of the body member 10, thereby giving the receptacles a rigid means of support.

The sleeves or receptacles are each slit longitudinally as at 57, into four sections along the lower half thereof and are flared outwardly at 20 to be engaged by mating portions 21 formed in the body member 11. As can be seen, each receptacle has a stepped axial recess situated therein. The recess extends longitudinally from the end of the flared end section and contains the plug member 16 and flexible terminal leaves 17, which also extend along the recess. The plug member acts primarily as a guiding agent during the initial contact of the connector with a set of terminal blades indicated at 26, attached to an electrical device such as a motor, partly indicated at 30. The blades are suitably electrically insulated from each other.

The plug members also act to [form a rigid means of support for securing the upper ends of the flexible terminal leaves to the respective receptacles. For this purpose, large diameter sections 31 at the upper ends of the plug members bear outwardly against the upper ends of the terminal leaves, thereby forcing them against the inside diameters of the receptacles. The plug members also have large diameter sections at their lower ends which snugly fit against the terminal blades when the connector is attached. This acts to give the terminal blades 26 a vertical means of support during a locking operation when pressure is brought radially inward against them. The flexible terminal leaves and semi-spherical locking projections 33 thereon are designed to snap into cooperating holes 35 in the terminal blades 26 when the connector is fitted onto the terminal blades, thereby providing a firm and intimate electrical connection as well as a yieldable detent. The leaves 17 and their projections 33 also form a positive lock when the screw 9 is rotated to cause the member 11 to constrict the receptacles.

Each terminal ieaf 17 is also flared outwardly at 37.

. This construction is provided not only as an insurance that the terminal leaves will have a close association with the flared inside diameter of the sleeves, but also acts as to initially guide the connector in place. The leaves are suitably connected to electrical conductors within a pair of cables 41 and 42, respectively. The cables extend into the threaded end caps 14 and 15 and may be connected to a suitable source of current.

With cross reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, it can be seen that FIG. 3 illustrates the connector in its rigid clamped position. As can be seen, the lower body member 11 has been adjusted downwardly as a result of turning the screw 9. As the body member travels down, the angled mating portions 21 engage the flared portions 20 at the lower end of the terminal receiving receptacles, thereby causing them both to be forced radially inwardly, insuring a positive connection between the terminal leaves 17 and terminal blades 26. Thus, the connector is positively locked to the device 30 to withstand severe mechanical vibrations and shocks and the terminal leaves are both intimately and positively connected electrically to the terminal blades 26.

By backing oil? the screw 9, the connector may be readily released. However, it will be noted that with the screw 9 backed otf, the connector will still be yieldably held in place and the spring leaves will be yieldably held in electrical contact with the terminal blades. Therefore, under conditions where undue mechanical vibrations, etc., are not encountered, the connector need be merely snapped in place to obtain an electrical connection between all of the terminal elements.

Although the invention has been described in detail and certain specific terms and languages have been used, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is illustrative rather than restrictive and that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as set forth in the claims appended hereto.

Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is:

1. An electric circuit connector comprising means forming a pair of terminals having detenting means thereon,

a hollow receptacle having a radially outwardly flared section,

said receptacle being of flexible material,

said receptacle being adapted to be fitted over said terminals,

said receptacle being split along a portion of its length including said flared section,

a pair of flexible spaced terminal members in said receptacle and extending lengthwise thereof, means in said receptacle supporting said terminal members adjacent one end of each thereof,

detent means on said terminal members adjacent the unsupported ends thereof, said receptacle being adapted to yieldably force said terminal member de tent means into holding engagement with said terminal detenting means upon fitting said receptacle over said terminals,

and a locking member movable over said receptacle,

said locking member being effective upon engagement with said flared section to contract said receptacle whereby to positively force said terminal member detent means into holding engagement with said terminal detenting means.

2. An electric circuit connector comprising means forming a pair of terminals having detenting means thereon,

a hollow receptacle having a radially outwardly flared section,

said receptacle being of flexible material,

said receptacle being adapted to be fitted over said terminals,

said receptacle being split along a portion of its length including said flared section,

a plug member in said receptacle,

a pair of flexible spaced terminal leaves in said receptacle and extending lengthwise thereof,

means in said receptacle supporting said terminal leaves,

detent means on said terminal leaves,

said receptacle being adapted to yieldably force said terminal leaf detents into holding engagement with said terminal detenting means upon fitting said receptacle over said terminals,

and a locking member movable over said receptacle,

said locking member being eifective upon engagement with said flared section to contract said receptacle whereby to positively force said terminal leaf detent means into holding engagement with said terminal detenting means.

3. An electric circuit connector comprising means forming a pair of terminals having transversely extending openings therein,

a hollow elongate receptacle having a radially outwardly flared end section,

said receptacle being of flexible material,

said receptacle being adapted to be fitted over said terminals,

said receptacle being split along a part of its length including said flared end section,

a pair of flexible spaced terminal leaves in said receptacle and extending lengthwise therein,

means securing said terminal leaves to said receptacle adjacent the end of said receptacle remote from said flared end section,

inwardly facing projections on said spring leaves adjacent said flared end section,

said receptacle being adapted to yieldably force said projections into said openings upon fitting said receptacle over said terminals,

and a locking member movable over said receptacle,

said locking member being effective upon movement to cause said flared end section to contract whereby to positively force said projections into said openings.

4. An electric circuit connector according to claim 3 comprising a plug member in said receptacle engageable between said terminals upon fitting said receptacle over said terminals.

5. An electric circuit connector comprising means forming a pair of terminals having transversely extending openings therein,

a hollow elongate receptacle having a radially outwardly flared end section,

said receptacle being of flexible material,

said receptacle being adapted to be fitted over said terminals,

said receptacle being split along a part of its length including said flared end section,

a plug member in said receptacle,

a pair of flexible spaced terminal leaves in said receptacle, said terminal leaves being held in spaced relation with each other by said plug member adjacent the end of said receptacle remote from said flared end section,

inwardly facing projections on said spring leaves adjacent said flared end section,

said receptacle being adapted to yieldably force said projections into said openings upon fitting said receptacle over said terminals,

and a locking member movable over said receptacle,

said locking member being effective upon movement to cause said flared end section to contract whereby to positively force said'projections into said openings, and

said plug member being engageable between said terminals upon fitting said receptacle over said terminals.

6. An electric circuit connector for receiving and releasably or rigidly holding a plurality of male terminals,

comprising a combination of body members,

said members being adjustably disposed in parallel relationship to one another,

said members having perpendicular to said parallel relationship a plurality of substantially aligned bores therethrough,

receptacles provided in said bores for receiving said electrical terminals,

said receptacles forming flared end sections,

said end sections having recesses therein,

said recesses extending longitudinally from the end of said flared end sections and adapted to receive said male electrical terminals,

plug members in said recesses,

said plug members extending longitudinally of said recesses and acting to guide said receptacles over said male terminals,

means forming at least one slot in each of said receptacles extending from said recess through said flared end section whereby said flared end section may be radially expanded and compressed to vary the diameter of said recess, said variation being effected by the adjustable relationship of said body members, and a plurality of flexible terminal leaves in said recess, said flexible terminal leaves having a suitable means of support applied thereto, said flexible terminal leaves also having means thereon suitable for intimate and holding contact with the aforesaid male terminals, and said contact to be rigidly insured as a result of said adjustable relationship between said body members and as a result of said holding means bearing against said longitudinally arranged plug members. 7. An electric circuit connector for receiving and releasably or rigidly holding a plurality of male terminals,

comprising a combination of body members, said members being adjustably disposed in parallel relationship to one another, said members having perpendicular to their relationship a plurality of substantially aligned bores displaced therethrough, means provided in a number of said bores for receiving said electrical terminals, said means forming flared end sections, said end sections having recesses situated therein, said recesses extending longitudinally from the end of said flared end sections and adapted to receive said male electrical terminals, means forming at least one slot extending from said recess through said flared end section whereby said flared end section may be radially expanded and compressed to vary the diameter of said recess, said variation being effected by the adjustable relationship of said body members, and a plurality of flexible terminal leaves in said recess, said flexible terminal leaves having a suitable means of support applied thereto, said flexible terminal leaves also having means thereon for holding contact with the aforesaid male terminals. 8. An electric circuit connector for receiving and releasably or rigidly holding a plurality of male terminals,

comprising an adjustable body member, said member having a recess situated therein, said recess extending longitudinally from one end of said adjustable body member and having means therein for receiving said male terminals, said means extending outwardly from said body member and forming a flared end section, said end section also having a recess displaced in longitudinal alignment with the aforesaid recess, said recess extending longitudinally from the end of said flared end section with said recess adapted to receive said male electrical terminals, means forming at least one slot extending from said recess through said flared end section whereby said flared end section may be radially expanded and compressed to vary the diameter of said recess, said variation being effected by the action of the adjustable body on the flared end section disposed therein, and a plurality of flexible terminal leaves in said recess, said flexible terminal leaves having a suitable means of support applied thereto, said flexible terminal leaves also having means thereon suitable for intimate and holding contact with the aforementioned male terminals, said contact to be rigidly or releasably insured as a result of said adjustable body causing variation in the aforesaid radially adjustable flared end section. 9. An electric circuit connector comprising means forming a plurality of spaced groups of terminals having detenting means,

a body member,

a plurality of hollow receptacles carried by said body member,

said receptables being of resilient material and having outwardly flared sections,

said receptacles being split along a portion of their length including said flared sections;

groups of spaced terminal leaves in said receptacles and extending along the lengths thereof,

means supporting said terminal leaves adjacent one end of each thereof,

detent means on said terminal leaves adjacent the unsupported ends thereof,

said receptacles being adapted to yieldably force said terminal leaf detent means into holding engagement with said detenting means upon fitting said receptacles over respective ones of said groups of terminals,

a locking member,

means for moving said locking member over said receptacles,

said locking member being effective upon engagement with said flared sections to contract said receptacles whereby to positively engage said terminal leaf detent means with said detenting means.

10. An electric circuit connector comprising means forming a plurality of spaced groups of terminals having detenting means,

a body member,

a plurality of hollow receptacles carried by said body member,

said receptacles being of resilient material and having outwardly flared end sections,

said receptacles being split along part of their lengths including said flared end sections;

groups of spaced terminal leaves in said receptacles and extending along the lengths thereof,

means comprising plug members in said receptacles for supporting said terminal leaves adjacent one end of each thereof,

the unsupported ends of said terminal leaves extending adjacent said flared end sections,

detent means on said terminal leaves adjacent said unsupported ends thereof,

said receptacles being adapted to yieldably force said terminal leaf detenting means into holding engagement with said detenting means upon fitting said receptacles over respective ones of said groups of terminals,

a locking member,

means for moving said locking member over said receptacles,

said locking member being eflective upon engagement with said flared end sections to contract said receptacles whereby to positively engage said terminal leaf detent means with said detenting means, and

said plug members being adapted to engage between said terminals of said groups upon fitting said receptacles over said terminals.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS 414,115 7/1934 Great Britain.

EDWARD C. ALLEN, Primary Examiner.

W. D. MILLER, Assistant Examiner. 

1. AN ELECTRIC CIRCUIT CONNECTOR COMPRISING MEANS FORMING A PAIR OF TERMINALS HAVING DETENTING MEANS THEREON, A HOLLOW RECEPTACLE HAVING A RADIALLY OUTWARDLY FLARED SECTION, SAID RECEPTACLE BEING OF FLEXIBLE MATERIAL, SAID RECEPTACLE BEING ADAPTED TO BE FITTED OVER SAID TERMINALS, SAID RECEPTACLE BEING SPLIT ALONG A PORTION OF ITS LENGTH INCLUDING SAID FLARED SECTION, A PAIR OF FLEXIBLE SPACED TERMINAL MEMBERS IN SAID RECEPTACLE AND EXTENDING LENGTHWISE THEREOF, MEANS IN SAID RECEPTACLE SUPPORTING SAID TERMINAL MEMBERS ADJACENT ONE END OF EACH THEREOF, DETENT MEANS ON SAID TERMINAL MEMBERS ADJACENT THE UNSUPPORTED ENDS THEREOF, SAID RECEPTACLE BEING ADAPTED TO YIELDABLY FORCE SAID TERMINAL MEMBER DETENT MEANS INTO HOLDING ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID TERMINAL DETENTING MEANS UPON FITTING SAID RECEPTACLE OVER SAID TERMINALS, AND A LOCKING MEMBER MOVABLE OVER SAID RECEPTACLE, SAID LOCKING MEMBER BEING EFFECTIVE UPON ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID FLARED SECTION TO CONTRACT SAID RECEPTACLE WHEREBY TO POSITIVELY FORCE SAID TERMINAL MEMBER DETENT MEANS INTO HOLDING ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID TERMINAL DETENTING MEANS. 